Experimental and numerical investigations of circular concrete filled steel double-skin and double-tube columns exposed to fire

Abstract

Circular concrete-filled steel double-tube (CFSDT) columns have shown excellent ductility and load-carrying capacity. However, research on the fire resistance of CFSDT columns is still limited. This paper presents the fire tests, finite element (FE) modeling, behavior, and design of circular CFSDT columns and concrete-filled steel double-skin (CFSDS) columns exposed to fire. The fire resistance tests of one CFSDS and six CFSDT columns are described. Analysis is given on the effects of the material strength, the thickness of the inner steel tube, and the load ratio on the fire resistance of the specimens. Finite element models are developed that simulate the fire behavior of filled composite columns with double tubes and are verified by fire test results. The verified FE models are employed to undertake parametric studies on the structural responses of CFSDS and CFSDT columns under fire exposure. A design model is proposed for calculating the fire resistances of CFSDT columns. The results show that the load ratio and the column slenderness ratio have the most significant effect on the fire resistance of CFSDT columns; the cross-sectional parameters remarkably affect the fire resistance; and the material strength has a moderate impact on the fire resistance of CFSDT columns. Compared with CFSDS specimens, the existence of the core concrete significantly increases the fire resistance of CFSDT columns. The proposed design model for fire resistance can yield a safe prediction.